New contract details show Warriors got steal with Kristaps Porzingis

Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

New contract details show Warriors got steal with Kristaps Porzingis

By Sean Keane | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 9:07 AM ET

Initial reports said Kristaps Porzingis' new contract was worth $40M for two seasons. New information shows the Golden State Warriors made a shrewd deal with their veteran center.

ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that the second year of the Porzingis contract is guaranteed for only $3M. In addition, the contract is officially an extension, which means he could be traded immediately should the Warriors pull off some of their ambitious plans.

Kristaps Porzingis could be a bargain for Golden State Warriors

Porzingis has struggled with a mysterious illness called POTS for the last two seasons, which limited him to 42 games in 2024-25 and only 32 in 2025-26. But when he has been available, he's been a strong offensive player, shooting 37.6 percent from three-point range and averaging 18.3 points.

Considering that the Atlanta Hawks signed Jock Landale to a one-year, $14M contract, the Warriors got a bargain with Porzingis. The Latvian center is a far superior version of Landale on both ends of the floor, yet he'll cost only $6M less in 2026-27 — with very little commitment for 2027-28.

Pair of relevant notes on Kristaps Porzingis' new contract, per sources.

1. Only $3 million is guaranteed for the second season.

2. He's immediately trade eligible because of the structure of the two-year, $40 million extension (no more than 5% raise between yrs 1 and 2).
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 1, 2026

If the Warriors training staff can figure out how to manage Porzingis' POTS, they've potentially found a game-changing center that provides three-point shooting and spacing from the center position the team hasn't have for years. A team with Steph Curry was somehow 20th in the NBA in three-point percentage.

Kristaps Porzingis is a highly-tradable contract

As much as Porzingis might help the Warriors offense, he's also a perfect trade chip if the team gets more ambitious. Not only is his $20M salary for this season a perfect-sized contract for matching salaries, the salary obligation next season is a scant $3M.

Plus, because the Warriors managed to structure his new deal as an extension, they can trade Porzingis if some opportunity arises. The Washington Wizards contend they don't want to trade center Anthony Davis — but that could change if another team is willing to give The Brow a big new contract. Not to mention the tradable deal gives the team flexibility if the Warriors manage to recruit LeBron James.

If the Dubs keep Porzingis, they've got a low-risk, high-reward big man who's been an All-Star in the past. If they trade him, he's a valuable trade chip. Overall, it's a nice bit of business for a Warriors team that's still aiming high in the twilight of Curry's career.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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